ARTICLE 7A: SIGN STANDARDS

Section

7A.1.   PURPOSE, INTENT, AND APPLICABILITY

   7A.1.1.   Purpose

   7A.1.2.   Applicability

7A.2.   INTERPRETATION, SEVERABILITY, AND NON-COMMERCIAL SPEECH SUBSTITUTION

   7A.2.1.   Interpretation

   7A.2.2.   Interpretation of District Boundaries

   7A.2.3.   Application of Prior Code Sections

   7A.2.4.   Severability and Non-Commercial Speech Substitution

7A.3.   DEFINITIONS

7A.4.   PERMITS, INSPECTIONS, AND FEES

   7A.4.1.   Permits

   7A.4.2.   Issuance

   7A.4.3.   Effect of Issuance

   7A.4.4.   Inspections

   7A.4.5.   Special Inspector Required

   7A.4.6.   Fees

   7A.4.7.   Maintenance

7A.5.   VIOLATIONS, ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES

   7A.5.1.   Indemnification of City

   7A.5.2.   Liability Insurance Required

7A.6.   MEASUREMENTS, LOCATION, AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

   7A.6.1.   Sign Area

   7A.6.2.   Maximum Sign Area

   7A.6.3.   Change of Copy

   7A.6.4.   Sign Copy

   7A.6.5.   Sign Height Measurement

   7A.6.6.   Clearance

   7A.6.7.   Setback

   7A.6.8.   Signs Near Residences

   7A.6.9.   Street and Building Frontages

   7A.6.10.   Signs In or Over Public Rights-Of-Way

   7A.6.11.   Premise

   7A.6.12.   Illumination

7A.7.   SIGN DESIGN OPTIONS

   7A.7.1.   Master Sign Program - Permanent Signs

   7A.7.2.   Master Sign Program - Portable Signs

   7A.7.3.   Singular Sign Design Option

   7A.7.4.   Notification

7A.8.   EXEMPT AND PROHIBITED SIGNS

   7A.8.1.   Exempt Signs

   7A.8.2.   Prohibited Signs

   7A.8.3.   Signs Creating Traffic Hazards

   7A.8.4.   Signs in Public Areas

7A.9.   NONCONFORMING SIGNS AND CHANGE OF USE

   7A.9.1.   Signs for Legal Nonconforming Uses

   7A.9.2.   Change of Use

7A.10.   SIGN TYPES AND GENERAL STANDARDS

   7A.10.1.   Generally Permitted Signs

   7A.10.2.   Permanent Signs

   7A.10.3.   Portable Signs

   7A.10.4.   Temporary Signs

   7A.10.5.   Heritage Landmark Signs (HLS)

7A.11.   SPECIAL DISTRICTS

   7A.11.1.   Historic District

   7A.11.2.   Pedestrian Business District

   7A.11.3.   Scenic Corridor Zone (SCZ) District

   7A.11.4.   Planned Area Development (PAD) District

7A.12.   APPEALS

7A.13.   SIGN DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

7A.1. PURPOSE, INTENT, AND APPLICABILITY

7A.1.1. PURPOSE

   The purpose of the sign  standards is to:

   A.   Accommodate the rights of individuals to freedom of speech, promote equity among businesses, and other typical sign users, and enable the fair and consistent enforcement of sign  standards;

   B.   Recognize the legitimate signage needs of businesses and other interests to communicate messages, provide identification, and enable wayfinding throughout the City for tourists and residents;

   C.   Ensure that signage contributes to the maintenance of an aesthetically pleasing visual environment by exercising reasonable regulations over type, size, number, appearance, and location;

   D.   Respect Tucson's unique natural environment of surrounding mountain ranges and dark night skies by regulating sign illumination and height;

   E.   Protect property values by minimizing the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;

   F.   Promote public safety by ensuring that signs are properly constructed and maintained to protect the general public from property damage and personal injury;

   G.   Facilitate traffic flow and safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists through enforcement of sight lines and other appropriate sign placement regulation; and,

   H.   Support retention of local businesses and further the economic development goals of the City .